Cheap flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns from $131
This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 7/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
18 Sep — 25 Sep1
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or March, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Tuesday and return on a Friday
Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns
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Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 19 August 2026.
Sat 3/1019:15 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Fri 9/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$248
Sun 11/1017:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Thu 15/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 18/8$249
Sat 3/1019:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Mon 12/1019:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 17/8$252
Wed 7/1017:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Mon 12/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$256
Mon 12/1006:25 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Wed 14/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 17/8$259
Sat 17/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 21/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 18/8$268
Sun 4/1020:15 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 7/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$269
Best flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Sat 10/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Sun 18/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 17/8$283
Fri 16/1011:05 -
1 stop8h 35m
Sun 25/1008:00 -
1 stop10h 40m
Deal found 18/8$456
Mon 7/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Fri 11/921:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 16/8$311
Sun 13/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Sun 20/921:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 16/8$334
Tue 8/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Fri 18/921:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 14/8$337
Tue 15/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Tue 22/921:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 18/8$369
Fri 16/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Sun 25/1019:20 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 18/8$387
Wed 2/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Sat 5/907:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 14/8$411
Tue 1/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Tue 8/907:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 16/8$438
Fri 30/1019:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 1/1119:20 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 14/8$472
Direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore direct flight options from Melbourne to Cairns based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Sat 3/1019:15 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Fri 9/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$248
Sun 11/1017:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Thu 15/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 18/8$249
Sat 3/1019:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Mon 12/1019:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 17/8$252
Wed 7/1017:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Mon 12/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$256
Mon 12/1006:25 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Wed 14/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 17/8$259
Sat 17/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 21/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 18/8$268
Sun 4/1020:15 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 7/1020:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$269
Last-minute flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns. Data last updated 19 August 2026 and is based on user searches.
Tue 1/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Fri 11/921:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 15/8$292
Mon 7/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Fri 11/921:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 16/8$310
Mon 7/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 16/919:35 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 16/8$313
Tue 8/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 16/919:35 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 15/8$304
One-way flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Search for one-way flight options from Melbourne to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Wed 7/1017:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 16/8$131
Sat 21/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Deal found 18/8$132
Sat 3/1019:15 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 17/8$134
Fri 16/1020:15 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 16/8$137
Mon 18/121:25 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 15/8$139
Wed 25/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 14/8$141
Wed 6/119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 16/8$144
Wed 3/219:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 16/8$145
Sun 1/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 16/8$146
Thu 19/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Deal found 19/8$148
Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Customise your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 7,457,451 searches. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.
Fly from
Fly to
Route
Depart
Return
Price
Cheapest return flight
Fastest return journey
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Sat 10/10
20:05-22:30
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Sun 18/10
20:35-00:55
Nonstop3h 20m
$283
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Mon 7/9
18:55-22:20
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Fri 11/9
21:40-01:00
Nonstop3h 20m
$311
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Sun 13/9
18:55-22:20
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Sun 20/9
21:40-01:00
Nonstop3h 20m
$334
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Tue 8/9
18:55-22:20
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Fri 18/9
21:35-00:55
Nonstop3h 20m
$337
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Tue 15/9
18:55-22:20
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Tue 22/9
21:35-00:55
Nonstop3h 20m
$369
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 16/10
20:05-22:30
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Sun 25/10
19:20-23:45
Nonstop3h 25m
$387
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Wed 2/9
18:55-22:20
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Sat 5/9
07:00-10:30
Nonstop3h 30m
$411
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Tue 1/9
18:55-22:20
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Tue 8/9
07:00-10:30
Nonstop3h 30m
$438
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 16/10
11:05-18:40
1 stop8h 35m
Cairns
Sun 25/10
08:00-19:40
1 stop10h 40m
$456
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 30/10
19:50-22:10
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Sun 1/11
19:20-23:45
Nonstop3h 25m
$472
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 17/8
Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns
Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.
MEL-CNS
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.
Cheapflights Insights
Everything you need to know about your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Prices
Airlines
Delays
How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns, you should look to book at least 82 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $249). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in June is currently the most expensive (average of $434). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?
Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Unlike at midday, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 47% on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns by exploring options for tickets in the evening.
What is the cheapest day to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 15 August 2026.
Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight should consider departing on Wednesday at midday when fares are most often at their lowest. Monday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.
How much does it cost for a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Airfare is below average for this route at the moment.
Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights typically cost between $259 and $485 in October.The cheapest return price found within the last 5 days was $248 on Jetstar (3 Oct–9 Oct).
Weekly flight availability from Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Explore weekly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
The most flights from MEL to CNS are scheduled on a Monday (33 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Wednesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (19 on average).
How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?
About 19% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 111 minutes.
What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?
Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the early afternoon tend to experience delays more often.
What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?
Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.
Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?
Over the past year, Virgin Australia have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 13% of flights being delayed.
Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns
Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 19 August 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown with Virgin Australia,Qantas Airways, andJetstar
from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Related info for your journey
Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?
If you book a flight to Cairns from Melbourne, you will be flying to Cairns, which is the city’s only airport. Cairns (CNS) is located 4.4 km from the centre of Cairns. There are 24 flights from Melbourne to Cairns per day from 3 different airlines.
How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Airlines like Jetstar fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in about 3h 25m. The time it takes to get you to your destination is usually consistent. The distance between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is about 2311 km. Most flights are nonstop.
What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?
Our cheapest airline available from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $127 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, starting at $152 and $212 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 59% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.
What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns one-way?
$106 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Jetstar. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, with prices starting from $130 and $207, respectively.
What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns are Qatar Airways (85%), China Southern (79%) and Air India (78%).
What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
On average you can expect to pay $1,721 for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $121 while the most popular route, (Melbourne - Cairns) is currently priced at $239.
Where are the most common stopover locations when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights have a stopover in Brisbane most often.
What are some popular things to do or see while on a stopover in Brisbane?
If you're on a stopover in Brisbane and looking for things to do, consider visiting Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, or St. John's Anglican Cathedral. Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and St. John's Anglican Cathedral are located about 12.6 km, 13.5 km, and 11.9 km, respectively from Brisbane if you are interested in checking them out. Travellers in need of a car in Brisbane can hire one for about $54 per day.
Where are the least popular stopover locations for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights?
The least popular stopover on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Sydney.
Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.
Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $249). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in June is currently the most expensive (average of $434). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach
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Fly from Melbourne to Cairns on these airlines
Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 19 August 2026.
Explore flights to Cairns departing from other origins. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 19 August 2026.
Browse through other flights departing from Melbourne. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 19 August 2026.
Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 7,457,451 searches. Data last updated 19 August 2026.
Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.
How does Cheapflights help users find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.
Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to Cairns?
Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.
Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?
Cheapflights does show flights with no change fees to all users. To see these options for flights from Melbourne to Cairns, users can toggle the no change fees filter when performing a flight search.
Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?
Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on Melbourne to Cairns flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.
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